A NEW book recreating the walks of celebrated Blackburn author and fell walker Alfred Wainwright is to be released this week.

Nick Burton’s Wainwright’s Way marks the life of Wainwright in the form of a long distance walk.

“A few years ago I walked to celebrate his birthday and I came across the book he used when he walked,” Nick said.

“Nobody else has ever covered his Lancashire walking or his sketches.

“In a way I was trying to remind people that he’s from Lancashire. He spent his first 34 years in Blackburn and I think that’s where he got his love of walking from.”

As well as featuring original illustrations from Wainwright’s Lancashire sketchbooks, Wainwright’s Way contains a walking guide detailing a 126-mile journey linking his birthplace in Audley Range, Blackburn, to his final resting place in Cumbria.

The walk is split into 10 day-long stages, and follows in Wainwright’s footsteps.

It links the sights he drew and wrote about in his Lancashire guides and the Lake District.

The climax of the book follows the sombre final journey of Wainwright. Walkers can re-enact the trip his ashes took after his death in 1991, from his home in Kendal to where his ashes were scattered above the village of Buttermere on his favourite mountain, Haystacks.

While leading Wainwright fans and keen walkers alike through some of the most spectacular scenery in the north, the book also uncovers the history, landscape and characters of the many places sketched by the former Blackburn councillor, who published more than 40-books and featured in TV documentaries.

Mr Burton, author of numerous Lancashire and Manchester walking guides, will be signing copies of his book from 11am to 3pm at Blakey’s Cafe Bar, King George’s Hall, on Friday, February 22.